Page 17 of Beast and Remedy
He’s been a part of our household staff since Marian and I were infants, whereas the brothers, Alec and Marius, have been employed by the crown for a few years.
The three are constantly on shifts together and always our favorite ones to chat with. They don’t report every little detail of where we go to Papa, Jean, and Pierre. It’s one of the big reasons we get away with so much.
“Where are you off to this early?” Alec asks beside a suspicious Marius.
Marian loops her arm through mine, her teeth gleaming and eyelashes fluttering. “We were just going out for a stroll,” she lies.
Marius’s umber eyes flick to her bow, and she chuckles, trying to hide her weapons.
“We don’t have to lie,” I tell her as Bronn and Alec mask their amusement.
“It’s not lying,” she starts. “I mean, wearewalking.”
She winks with mischief, and it does nothing to help our secrecy, despite the three men huffing under their breath as she drags me past them.
“Be careful and stick close to the tree line so you can holler should you need anything,” Bronn calls out.
Marian waves behind us, and I peer back to the guards. “Thank you.”
When I turn back, I nudge my sister.
“Ow!” she grumbles, wincing as we circle the perimeter.
“They are going to think we are up to something!” I hiss.
She rubs her side. “If I didn’t make a joke, then theywouldhave thought we were being inconspicuous.”
“Whatever. Let’s check near my study.”
We spend time inspecting near my alchemy room, trying to find paw marks. The tracks aren’t very visible, and I double-check our surroundings before lowering.
Closer to the ground, I inhale, detecting a distinct musk scent.
It’s faint but still traceable.
We push onward, remaining in line with my workroom, moss clinging to the autumn air. Marian nocks her bow, arrow aimed and at the ready as we enter the forest. We remain silent, my sister scouting the distance and glancing down for any vestiges.
I brush by the trees, touching the bark and sniffing. Listening. Tuning into every sound and scent I can focus on.
Leaves rustle as birds chirp, a quiet song drifting through my senses. The sharp scent of pine and cedar mix with the musky trace of myself and a few other creatures when I pause upon a familiar bush.
Touching the greenery, I squat, leaning in with delight. I draw my dagger to cut a few leaves and stems, the shrubbery rustling.
Might as well make use of my time and restock any ingredients I can before winter takes away my opportunity for a month.
I sheathe my blade and stuff my pocket full as footsteps approach. Pausing, I peer over my shoulder to Marian hovering above me, eyes sharp and her weapon aimed at my chest.
“Marian, what are you—”
She releases the arrow, and I rear back, eyes widening as it shoots past me, landing in the bush.
Alarm drives my slackened mouth toward my sister, halting by the screeching hiss coming from the plant. I whirl back, moving the stems away to find an aspic viper shot in the head.
Swirls of relief, horror, and pain rip at my chest as I veer back, falling on my ass as I try not to think about the image of a dead animal.
The arrow lodged in it makes me—
I cover my mouth, suppressing a gag.
